Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Samsung GX-1L

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L
      63
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      52
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Samsung GX-1L, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 was introduced in July 2009 and Samsung GX-1L was introduced in February 2006. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Highlights

      • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic (LVF) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Samsung GX-1L Highlights

      • 6 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 5 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 210k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
      4. Advantage of Samsung GX-1L
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Samsung GX-1L.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Built-in Flash

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz)

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Panasonic GH1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 over Samsung GX-1L.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Samsung GX-1L
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel vs 6 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 3008 x 2008
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 210k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 96%
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 30 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.8 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) vs 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

      Panasonic GH5 II
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.33 MP

      Panasonic GH5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Panasonic GH5S
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.28 MP

      Panasonic GH3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.05 MP

      Panasonic GH6
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      25.2 MP

      Panasonic GH2
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Panasonic GH4
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.05 MP

      Leica S2
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      Medium format

      38 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro
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      APS-C

      29 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Leica M Edition 60
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      Full Frame

      23.7 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Advantage of Samsung GX-1L

      Samsung GX-1L
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung GX-1L over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Samsung GX-1L
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 3,200
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Samsung GX-1L.

      Samsung GX-10
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      APS-C

      10.75 MP

      Samsung GX-1S
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Samsung GX-20
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      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Leica SL2
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      Full Frame

      47.3 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon D5000
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic L10
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sigma SD1
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Leica M10
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      Full Frame

      24 MP

      Epson R-D1x
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Samsung GX-1L
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Samsung GX-1L
        Low Resolution Sensor12 Megapixel6 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6003,200
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot210k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps2.8 fps
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 460k dot resolution and Samsung GX-1L has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 210k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a built-in Electronic (LVF) viewfinderSamsung GX-1L has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has 100% coverage magnification and Samsung GX-1L has 96% coverage with 0.85x (0.57x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Samsung GX-1L features a 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is equipped with Venus Engine HD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4128 x 2752, 4352 x 2448, 3072 x 1728, 2992 x 2992, 2928 x 1952, 2816 x 2112, 2112 x 2112, 2064 x 1376, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Samsung GX-1L can take pictures up to 3008 x 2008 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2400 x 1600, 1536 x 1024 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Samsung GX-1L has Pentax KAF lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to APS-C sensor in Samsung GX-1L its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Samsung GX-1L nothing can be done. On Samsung GX-1L it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Samsung GX-1L comes with 4 x AA battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Samsung GX-1L has a single SD/MMC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Samsung GX-1L. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Samsung GX-1L can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.50 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and 7.50 m on Samsung GX-1L. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and 1/180 sec on Samsung GX-1L.

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 body has dimensions of 124 x 90 x 45 mm (4.88 x 3.54 x 1.77") and Samsung GX-1L body has dimensions of 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.92 x 3.66 x 2.6"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 weighs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) and Samsung GX-1L weighs 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      124 mm

      90 mm

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      125 mm

      93 mm

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      90 mm

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      93 mm

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      45 mm

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      66 mm

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      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Samsung GX-1L

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Samsung GX-1L for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      POOR
      47
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      POOR
      46
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      GOOD
      75
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      GOOD
      82
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Samsung GX-1L and give them scores of 63 and 52 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      52

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Low Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      POOR
      51
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   5 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      GOOD
      81
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      47
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Samsung GX-1L

      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 570 g (1.26 lb / 20.11 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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